KOOV Review

Computers and software have not only one of the most important industries in the modern world, but one of the most important parts of modern living. I know I can’t live my life without access to a lot of the code that we take for granted in day-to-day living, but someone has to maintain all that.

According to the Bureau of Labor & Statistics, there will be 4.4 million computer and IT jobs in the U.S. by 2024. With a mission dedicated to giving access to STEM learning tools to all children, Sony Global Education has created KOOV.

This claims to be an action-packed coding and robotics design kit for children ages 8 and up. However, is it all it’s cracked up to be, or are there cracks in this code?

KOOV Design

There is a lot that goes into a single KOOV kit. There is the starter kit that includes 162 building blocks and 14 sensors/actuators or the advanced kit that lets you build all 23 Robot recipes. Both of these give a decent range of choices that help suit the educational need of whatever stage of development a child is in.

The KOOV introduces young inventors to the world of programming in the most engaging way imaginable. KOOV is a next-generation robotics kit designed to develop spatial awareness skills using 3D coding blocks.

1. With a focus on cultivating STEM literacy, the KOOV design kit teaches children the basics of coding in a truly captivating way.
2. With an easy-to-learn building process, KOOV works in three simple steps.
3. Use KOOV blocks to build your robot by adding sensors and actuators to make it come alive.
4. Learn incredible coding skills with the KOOV app – making your robot come to life.
5. When your robot is complete, share it with other young innovators with the KOOV app.

Koov Technology

Supported by a 30+ hour educational video dedicated to coding, robotics, and design, Koov gives access to over 23 Sony-designed, ready-to-build Robot recipes. The kits include over a hundred different 3D blocks, and a full suite of sensors that include accelerometers, an infrared sensor, light sensors, push switches, buzzers, LEDs, DC motors, and Servo motors.

With all of this, any creative child with a slight interest in tech will have plenty to keep themselves occupied. The only problem will be where to start and what to build next.

Performance

With seven different blocks in seven different colors, KOOV comes with a drag n’ drop graphical coding interface making the building process easy. Backed by a highly interactive iOS/Android compatible app, KOOV allows children to learn the basics of coding while earning cool fun badges along the way. With the option of viewing other robot creations from children in other countries, Sony Global created a global community of young inventors capable of adopting the coding ideas of fellow builders.

Connectivity

With parents inundated with so many smart toy options, what sets KOOV apart from the competition? Two things really.

First and foremost, outside of guiding users through the entire drag n’ drop programming processing using captivating visual queues, the KOOV app connects children with an entire community of fellow programmers from across the world. Not only is your child learning the basics of programming while building a cool robot, but they are also part of a growing network of like-minded creative children.

Secondly, KOOV comes with 30+ hours of educational content. This includes The Basics of Coding, Getting into Electronics, Combining Button & the Light Sensor, Detecting Distance & Expressing Sound, Round and Round with the DC Motor, and Step in with the Servo Motor.
By the time a young programmer finishes their course on programming, has built their first robot, and has interacted with the global community of fellow inventors, you’ve opened up an entirely new world of technology outside the capabilities of a classroom.

Final Thoughts

The KOOV is an interesting product from a well-established company. That immediately gives it an edge, but that doesn’t mean I think it’s a must-buy. Though, for what it aims to do the KOOV is one of the more interesting products I’ve seen in a while.

It’s a child-focused product obviously, but what your child may want is something other than this. This is definitely a good project to get if you want to be hands-on with your child through the entire process, though.

Don’t just drop it on them and say have fun. I think this works best with a parent that wants to take the time and effort to walk with their child through the entire process. Make it a fun activity to do together.

The price might be a sticking point for most. As with most tech-based toys, it’s probably the biggest thing that will keep people away.

If the price doesn’t scare you off, and you want to get your child playing with code and other tech-related ideas, then this is a great starting point. I would recommend it to people in that situation.